Midas Blenny Breathing Hard?

darrow0903 · Dec 10, 2021

Hi all,

just got this Midas Blenny and I think he’s stressed out (see video). Looks like he’s breathing heavily. Is he gonna make it?

My other fish are doing amazingly out and about

any tip on what I should do? Is this normal behaviour for a new fish?

Lyss · Dec 10, 2021

It looks very distressed. Can you give some more info -- I think folks will be better able to help w/more to go on.

How long ago is "just?" How did you acclimate the fish?

darrow0903 · Dec 10, 2021

Lyss said:
It looks very distressed. Can you give some more info -- I think folks will be better able to help w/more to go on.

How long ago is "just?" How did you acclimate the fish?

Sorry thanks.

I got him last night. Acclimated the Blenny for an hour using drip method. The LFS have their water in copper. He was already molting when I got him. See pic when I got home.
Water parameters are:
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrate: 5.0
pH: 8.0
Did water change last night.

Lyss · Dec 10, 2021

The pattern is just stress stripes -- they also get the pattern at night sort of like camouflage. What's more concerning is the way it is breathing in the video. Was it breathing like that in the bag or during acclimation?

What is your salinity? Did you test the salinity in the bag from the fish store?

darrow0903 · Dec 10, 2021

Lyss said:
The pattern is just stress stripes -- they also get the pattern at night sort of like camouflage. What's more concerning is the way it is breathing in the video. Was it breathing like that in the bag or during acclimation?

What is your salinity? Did you test the salinity in the bag from the fish store?

He was eating last night when I fed them. His breathing wasn’t this hard last night as well.

Unfortunately that slipped my mind. My salinity currently is at 34.

darrow0903 · Dec 10, 2021

Update: I think he’s getting better now. Colours are normal, swimming like a mermaid. Showing the clowns who’s boss. What do you all think?

Lyss · Dec 10, 2021

darrow0903 said:
Update: I think he’s getting better now. Colours are normal, swimming like a mermaid. Showing the clowns who’s boss. What do you all think?

Yep. Just keep an eye on it. I have a tailspot and he's a sensitive soul -- have had a similar scare with him and he ended up just being very scared/stressed out, and fully recovered w/in a few hours.